Changes in Manufacturing & Operations

3D Printed

Additive manufacturing technology has captured our imaginations over the last few years with its ability to create complex shapes and designs on demand, which would otherwise be unattainable or wildly resource-intensive through traditional manufacturing practices.

In the future, 3D printing promises to raise the bar up high via print-to-order manufacturing.

For packaging prototypes, 3D printing will provide a vastly superior option over current methods, offering flexibility, efficiency, and cost reduction that will meld design and manufacturing.

3D printing will also offer a more sustainable path for the packaging industry. With manufacturing usually done overseas for cost efficiency.

3D printing will allow the packaging industry to manufacture for a much lower price. Through integrating manufacturing and warehouse facilities the overseas shipping costs as well as CO2 emissions will be significantly reduced.

As printing quality, speed, and material choices increase over the next ten years, 3D printing will have a larger impact than anticipated on the packaging industry.

This will most likely lead to smaller and smarter spaces that utilize large-scale printing for products and packaging, coupled with smart warehouse elements such as:

• robotic process automation (RPA)

• cognitive computing (artificial intelligence and machine learning)

• internet of things (IoT) connectivity.

Although we have come a long way in 3D printing, it is still  in its infancy. Soon, we will see a shift from limited specialized production to scalable printing for all sorts of industries.

In 2028 and beyond, additive manufacturing processes will offer personalized on-demand package solutions limited only by imagination.